France secured their maiden title at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, after a fantastic final against Hungary, where they took a 29:26 win, their eighth in a row at North Macedonia 2024.

It was a topsy-turvy match, with plenty of drama, six lead changes, and a superb performance for France, the most consistent team in the entire competition, which became the 11th team in history to clinch the title in the world handball flagship competition at this age category.

FINAL
Hungary vs France 26:29 (13:14)

On paper, there was little to separate the two finalists at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, as they both had depth, they both had excellent goalkeepers, a sturdy defence and a strong attack. Adding their unbeaten status – the only two sides in the competition to reach the final day without conceding a loss – it was always going to be a tough and well-balanced match.

Indeed, there were four lead changes in the first 30 minutes, despite Hungary starting the match better, preventing France to score until the eighth minute. But when France did score, through left back Enola Borg, Hungary were not far ahead, boasting a 2:0 lead, thanks to three blocked shots from the France defence.

The lead changed hands again, as France starting delivering in attack, despite their shooting efficiency was only 50% after 23 minutes, thanks to a fantastic outing from Hungary goalkeeper Klára Zaj. The shotstopper was nothing short of superb, delivering save after save, including two pair of saves in the quick succession, finishing the first half with 11 balls stopped, for an outstanding 44% saving efficiency.

But France had a machine-like performance, with all players delivering excellent displays, with Enola Borg clearing a shaky start to finish the first half with five goals, while line player Lilou Pintat added four more goals, to create a 14:13 lead at the break, with Hungary very much still in the match.

Hungary had already proven their credentials for comebacks, mounting one in the second half of the semi-final against the Netherlands, where they erased a four-goal deficit to clinch a four-goal win on Friday. But this time around, things got even harder, as France got a flawless start to the second half, with a 4:1 run, including two goals via fast breaks, thanks to their excellent defence.

That meant France secured a 19:15 lead with 22 minutes to go, despite Zaj making three more saves, as Eric Baradat side’s defence worked wonders, creating excellent fast breaks situations, with six of France’s first 19 goals coming via these situations. But the match was far from over, as Hungary were giving everything, even deploying a seven-on-six attack.

That do-or-die move proved to be crucial for Hungary, enabling the reigning European champions to mount a comeback in only eight minutes, using a 7:2 run, inspired by three goals from Lea Faragó and two from Julia Farkas to open a 23:22 lead with 10 minutes to go, while Zaj added more saves, taking her tally to 18 and a 45% saving efficiency.

But France had some more fighting spirit themselves. They bounced back, masterfully led by line player Pintat, who finished the match with eight goals, while goalkeeper Romane Lehuault Parc, entering the court in the last 15 minutes, stopped five shots for a 50% saving efficiency, including a penalty from Farago with two minutes left.

At that point, France were leading, 27:25, and Lylou Borg, who had previously dished seven assists, scored her first one, to create a three-goal lead, which proved to be unasaillable, gifting France their eight consecutive win at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and the title.

In only their second final in history played in the competition, France secured their maiden title, with a fantastic generation, which delivered some fantastic performances, and are now world champions in both the senior and the junior categories.

On the other hand, Hungary, which fought until the end, have sealed the silver medal for the second consecutive time, losing the final two years ago at Slovenia 2022.